FOUR GREAT LOOKS USING A PENCIL DRESS

Sunday, October 09, 2011

One of the things I love about blogging, is making friends with so many wonderful like minded people. Recently I had the opportunity to meet the fabulous woman who happens to be the designer of one of the most brilliant foundation pieces for modest dressing, the ThreeSixtee Design pencil dress. She was kind enough to gift me a piece for review, and we chose a dark grey for it's versatility and un-blackness!  This one piece dress is the perfect item for 'modest-izing' almost any garment without adding any seams or lines. We all know about wearing a shell under a top, but now, with this piece, so many more dresses, tunics and skirts that would otherwise be too short, are completely wearable. Actually, the pencil dress is a creativity lover's dream. There are so many ways to wear it. 

So today, in the midst of macaroni and cheese, laundry, and kids coming and going, my 16 year old daughter, Aleeza, and I took a break for an amateur  photo shoot of  four different looks I styled using the pencil dress. With just my iphone and some natural sunlight, Aleeza did an amazing job! (Currently I cannot find the cord to upload the pics from my camera so we settled for the iphone camera). 

LOOK 1 - GOING OUT
The Tunic Top
This was actually the last look we photographed. At this point Aleeza was getting a little antsy so we decided to get a little silly. I'm wearing an old studded tunic from TJ Maxx that I pulled out of my closet at the last moment, because I wanted to show how a basic black tunic with the grey pencil dress is the easiest and most versatile way to wear this dress. The shoes are about four years old and from a Nine West in San Francisco that I picked up while on vacation with my husband. (Can someone please make these gorgeous suede wedge heels again? They are the best shoes for transitioning from Summer into Fall.)
LOOK 2 - FOR A WEDDING
The Sequined Mini
Okay, I'll admit it, not too many people besides me are willing to wear a mini skirt over a longer skirt or dress. But I am a huge advocate of this look. Just like we wear short or no sleeves over a shirt, why not wear a great mini skirt over the pencil dress? The key to pulling it all together is adding a belt or a sash (this one came with a skirt from Express from a couple of years ago). Tie it at the waistline of the skirt to blend the pieces. When I wear this, people always ask me where I found my dress and I respond that I designed it myself (which in truth I kind of did). Come on....be your own designer! I figured for this look I'd go with the 'more is more' look and added a sparkly necklace (Forever21), and a fabulous pair of glitter shoes (Charlotte Russe). As my kids like to say, "We ain't in Kansas no more..." 
LOOK 3 - A DAY IN THE CITY
The Jacket and Boots
I love the sophisticated combination of grey and beige so this look was a no brainer. The pencil dress is so easy and comfortable to wear that all you really need to do is throw on a chic jacket (H&M) and boots (Bakers) and you're ready to go. Accessorize with two statement pieces of jewelry (I wore a chunky necklace and an over sized ring).
LOOK 4 - SHABBOS AND HOLIDAYS
The Peplum Blouse
The best thing about getting dressed with the pencil dress is that all you really have to think about is what to add on top. I picked up this printed peplum blouse (Macy's) on a recent trip to the mall. It's not something I would normally wear,  but I loved that it embodied a few of fall's current trends: animal print, vibrant color and pattern, and peplum styling. I added my good old sash at the waist (for more definition), an interesting broken necklace from Target (I love how the beads now fall randomly), and a pair of fabulous and cheap teal pumps (Charlotte Russe).


How would YOU style the pencil dress??


All photographs in the post were taken by Aleeza Langert.


Find ThreeSixtee Design on Facebook by clicking HERE!


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34 comments

  1. This dress is gorgeous on you and I love the color. I think it's so unique and it's really flattering on you and I have to admit I've never considered putting a mini skirt over a dress but it works on you!!. Great post!

    xoDale
    www.savvyspice.net

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  2. wow u look great in all of them! love the creativity!!

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  3. This post is perfect and so is your blog!
    I've been a fan for a while now, keep it up :)

    Maybe you could check out mine and follow if you get time?
    Stoleninspiration.com

    xx

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  4. What a great post! Love look 3 and 4!

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  5. All the looks are amazing! You truly have style :)

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  6. Wow! I am floored. All of those looks are spectacular and so varied. I also love the choice of gray instead of black.

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  7. love this post! i do this all the time to my clothes. i love 3 and 4!

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  8. WOW ... what fabulous combinations! You look lovely in all of the combinations! Love the wedding option too, as I never would have thought of doing that and it looks stunning! Great post! Have a wonderful week, sweets! xo

    Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou
    http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
    This Week: Aimee's Grande Paris Adventure Part II .. "Charmed I'm Sure"

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  9. What a great dress! I want one!

    I love all your looks, but the sequin skirt look is my favorite.

    You are so darned photogenic....I don't think you could take a bad photo.

    Have an excellent week....xo, Adrienne

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  10. Great ideas - I actually have this dress (same perfect color, style, though mine's longer and from a catalog). I will definitely try the look with the beige jacket/boots - it totally changes it! Mini-layering looks great - very exotic - so I may try if I feel brave! I have always liked the look of feminine frocks over jeans (from my Seattle/grunge days) so maybe I could get creative with layering denim over this.

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  11. I love the gray boots in your city look! Where are they from? :)

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  12. You came out with some seriously fabulous looks. I will definitely have to try to copy some of them. Love this post and you look fab!

    xo

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  13. Hmm I would have never thought of 4 combinations, really...and it works wonderfully, all of them...sweet!

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  14. Terrifict looks. I especially like the city look with a jacket and boots. Looking great as always!

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  15. Loving the city look! Such a versatile dress! :)

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  16. amazing blog!!i'm following you!!!

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  17. Pencil dresses are the best! I love wearing them because you can really alter the entire look with just one little change.

    http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
    Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  18. Love your city look. I need to buy a new pencil dress ASAP.

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  19. You're so creative- you look stunning in all the styles! My mind of reeling from the possibilities! And can I just say that I LOOOVE your boots!!!

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  20. Thanks for all your lovely comments. A few people asked about my boots in the city look. Yes, I know, they're fab and I just couldn't resist them. Luckily, they are a new item at Bakers and are currently in stock. Go get yourself a pair! (they also come in black)

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  21. You look fabulous in it all four ways...so unique!!

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  22. Look 3 is my favorite, but it's a very fun post to show us 4 ways to wear a special kind of item. xo

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  23. This is absolutely brilliant! I really like the simplicity of this dress and all the combinations you've come up with. The mini worn on top of the dress? Great idea and great post. Will have to check out their website now ;-) Hope you're well, Love from London xo

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  24. Great outfit idea! I love mixing staple pieces to create different looks!

    XoXo
    Plami

    http://www.fashionthrill.com

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  25. Such a cool dress! It would look like and simple worn alone, too, haha. And I'm only 18! :)


    Dagmara
    http://skippedbreakfast.blogspot.com

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  26. adore this look. so creative. each way gets better. thanks for sharing love. If you get a second I'd love to hear what you think of my latest ring obsessed post. xo

    www.fashboulevard.blogspot.com

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  27. So chic! Never would have thought to layer a sequin skirt over it... what a brilliant idea! xo

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  28. I like all of them but #3 is definitely my favorite. I just love that jacket! I've been on the hunt for something similar in black or grey.

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  29. there is nothin' better then a pencil skirt! YOu look great!!

    I stumbled upon your blog and just wanted to say hi! I'd love for you to come on over and follow me on my new site Color Issue!

    xoxox
    Aarean

    colorissue.blogspot.com

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  30. you look great it them all!

    xoxo navy & orange

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  31. Great color on you. You did a super job with the styling. Thanks so much for sharing on Monday Mingle.

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  32. Va va vooom! These are all great looks darling. You look amazing and make these outfits look spectacular!
    xoxo

    http://onestyleatatime.blogspot.com/

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  33. GIRRRLLLL! You have majorly outdone yourself here. Love everything about each of these looks...love each one more than the next...and it doesn't even seem like you are trying to cover..it just simply looks FASHIONABLE! YOu are such a Fashion-Isha!
    I love it.
    C

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